Dear Parents,

As we come to the end of Term 1, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the season of Lent that will come to an end at Easter. Lent is a time for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving — an opportunity for us all to deepen our faith, grow in compassion, and strengthen our relationships with one another and with God.

One of the beautiful aspects of Lent is the reminder that it’s not just about giving something up, but rather about opening our hearts to the needs of others and finding new ways to embody the love and kindness that Christ teaches us. 

As we now look ahead to the Easter season, let us carry the spirit of renewal and transformation that Lent offers. May we continue to be people of hope and joy, sharing the light of Christ with those around us.

Thank you to all the staff, students, and families for your ongoing commitment to St Columba’s community and your support throughout this very busy term.

I wish you all a restful holiday break and a happy and holy Easter and look forward to seeing you in Term 2.

Jenny Howard

Easter Raffle -  Please contact the office if you are able to help on Wednesday April 9th to prepare tickets for the easter raffle draw.

School Disco - Please contact the office if you are able to help on Wednesday April 9th to serve at the canteen on this night.

Mother's Day Stall - Please contact the office if you are able to help out with the Mother's Day Stall on Thursday May 8th, approx 8.30-9am start and usually finished between 10.30-11am.

A reminder that you need to have completed the diocese volunteer process to volunteer at St Columba's.

Thank you for the strength of your participation in our Student Led Conferences.  The children show great pride in sharing their achievements and goals but also in the opportunity it gives them to talk with you formally about their learning.  Please remember that you are welcome to make and appointment with your child’s teacher at any time if you feel that there is more that you would like to discuss separately to this meeting.

If you haven't previously sent a photo for our Mother's Day Liturgy slide show (you don't need to do this if you have emailed in previous years).

Please email to emma.mcculloch@mn.catholic.edu.au 

We had our first Open Day for new enrolments on Wednesday.  The turnout was great and included staff and children from a number of local prior to school services.  Our enrolments for Kindergarten 2026 have been open for almost a month and will close in May with offers to be sent out in June.  Please encourage any prospective enrolments to get applications in soon. Many thanks to these fabulous school leaders for the wonderful job done in leading our school tours.

We loved the opportunity to share information about wellbeing in our school and the Grow Your Mind program with you.  Please see the ideas shared at the meeting for using our wellbeing programs at home further down in the newsletter.

We are transitioning across to the new model for Family And Community Engagement (FACE).  This will only look slightly different to the PEG model but we seek opportunities for you to engage in your child’s learning and in the life of the school.

We deeply support the role of parents and carers as first educators and prioritise partnering with our students’ caregivers to ensure each child is nurtured to their potential.

To this end, we seek to incorporate family voice in our school’s operations and at a diocesan level.

As we transition from the PEG model to a FACE Forum, we are calling for nominations for the role of Federation Representatives for our school (ideally, two representatives will be elected).  We currently have Melissa Hayles as a representative but it is better to have two.

If you are interested in taking on this role and would like to know more about what it entails, please refer to the Section 10. of FACE Forum Guidelines (page 14/36).

If you would like to nominate, please email via school admin@adamstownsc.catholic.edu.au . You are also welcome to contact Jenny Howard to ask any questions about the role and what it entails.

What can we do at home with Grow Your Mind(GYM) & BP4L

• Watch the Making Friends video together
• Learn about the animals from GYM
• Listen to the Grow Your Mind Podcasts
• Download the Grow Your Mind album (Spotify)
• Use the Grow Your Mind at Home Resources
• Refer to the PB4L Values – We are: Respectful, Compassionate, Hospitable

In Week 11 we will have our school disco on site at St Columba’s.  This will be held under the COLA on school grounds. More information will come home on Compass. Many thanks to the staff for giving up their evening to attend and support this popular event for our children. This is a whole school disco and goes from 5:30pm to 7pm.

Louise Walsh has decided to cut back to 3 days per week and will share Kindergarten with Justine Owens, who will work on Thursdays and Fridays. 

Emma McCulloch remains the substantive teacher on Year 1. Her job share partner will be announced as soon as possible.

Lisa Matzanke is taking long service leave for Term 2.  Taylor Stokes will be stepping into the Assistant Principal role for the term.  This will not affect her days teaching Year 2.  Virginia Dunkley will remain the Year 5 teacher but will be on class full time.

Merewether-Hamilton-Adamstown RSL Sub-Branch invites students from St Columba’s Primary School to lay tributes on behalf of the school community at the Anzac Day Dawn Service to held at the WWI Memorial, 282 Brunker Road Adamstown on Friday 25^th April 2025 commencing at 8.30am. The ceremony will commemorate the service and sacrifice by the men and woman of Australia’s Armed Forces including those in civilian roles, in protecting Australia and its interests during time of war, conflict, peacemaking and peacekeeping operations since the Anzacs landed on Gallipoli in 1915.

Our school will be providing a wreath to be laid at the memorial by our students during the service.  Students who attend are asked to wear full school uniform.  The service will proceed in all weather.

Please advise ASAP if you’re able to attend this service.  We are hoping for 2 school leaders who are able to lay the wreath.  Mrs McCulloch and Mrs Bryant will meet the children in front of Henny Penny between 8am and 8:15am.

Fun Learning in Kindergarten

What an amazing time we have had in Kindergarten this term!  We know that our brain’s favourite way of learning is through PLAY.

During play we have built and created so many things along the way, including Adamstown, New York City, various bridges, fairy castles, our wonderful world and more.

We’ve painted beautiful pictures and imagined we are characters when we dramatise some of our stories. We’ve worked together and solved problems, always listening and respecting each other’s ideas and suggestions.

We have learnt so much about each other and we have formed great friendships. During play we can practise literacy and numeracy skills that we have learnt during our class lessons.

We can’t wait to see what Term 2 has in store for us!

Louise Walsh

We are negotiating with Police liaison to have a presentation for our Year 5 & 6 students on Cybersafety.  We’re hoping to have an additional talk for parents when police are available too.  We’re lucky that the police liaison officer now has availability to come and speak to the children on April 9 but we’re awaiting further information on this and on her availability for parents for Term 2.  In the meantime, please check the link below regarding a new topic on SchoolTV.

SchoolTV - Cybersafety

Young people today are growing up in an increasingly connected world where technology is part of their everyday lives – for learning, socialising, and entertainment. While the digital world offers enormous benefits, it also comes with serious risks. From cyberbullying and online predators to inappropriate content and screen time concerns, navigating the online environment can be challenging for young people and their families.

Cybersafety is not just about blocking access – it's about empowering young people with the knowledge and skills they need to use technology responsibly and safely. This includes understanding privacy settings, recognising scams, and developing healthy digital habits. At the same time, it's important for parents and caregivers to stay informed, have open and judgement-free conversations with their children, and lead by example through positive online behaviour.

In today's digital age, safeguarding a child's wellbeing must also include protecting their online life. This edition of SchoolTV will help you better understand the digital landscape your child is navigating and offer practical strategies to help them stay safe, confident and in control online.

https://adamstownsc.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/cybersafety-au

DRAWN THURSDAY 9TH

In our Church tradition.... Sacramental Program for 2025 and Mass

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2025: Congratulation to those students who participated in their First Reconciliation last week:

• Charlie Locking
• Cruze Bunt
• Ryan Martin
• Daniel O’Connell
• Chloe Greentree
• Finn Johnston
• Evelyn Leard
• Lachlan Ricci
• George Slack
• James Coleman
• Makario Bale

CLASS MASS: Please see dates below for Class Mass for Term 2. Parents are very welcome to attend. Children will be participating in readings and the offertory during these Masses.

WEEKEND MASS TIMES FOR ST COLUMBA’S: It is always lovely for children and their families to attend Mass in our Parish. Currently Mass is celebrated each Sunday at 8:00am.

In our Community.... Holy Week Liturgy and Dates for the Term 2 Calendar  

HOLY WEEK LITURGY: Friday 11^th April (last day of Term 1), children will be presenting the events of Holy Week through song and action with their class at our Holy Week Liturgy. This will commence at 11:30am in the Church, with children in classes reenacting parts of Jesus’ journey. Parents, friends and carers are invited to come along to this liturgy.

**IMPORTANT NOTE for YEAR 1 PARENTS** As YEAR 1 is presenting the resurrection, they will NOT be singing on the last day at the Liturgy. If you would like to see YEAR 1 present the resurrection, they will sing together under the COLA on the FIRST DAY OF TERM TWO at 9:00AM.

In our Curriculum.... Unit in Focus: Kindergarten: Knowing God the Father

This term, Kindergarten been learning about ways that they encounter God. Children have growth in their sense of wonder and awe about who God is and what God is like. Through daily Religious Education lessons, they have come to understand that God created human beings in His own image, to form a loving relationship with them and that they are special. As a part of their learning, the children have explored the experience of God in the created world, through prayer and reflection. They have been given the opportunity to communicate their ideas, feelings, and thoughts about God throughout the various learning experiences presented. Some of these have included reading about God in the Children’s Bible, creating images of God and setting up a special place in their classroom where they can talk to God. Some of their learning can be seen below. Well done Kindergarten!

Building Faith Together: Conversations for Parents and Kids

A new addition to RE News, this section provides conversation starters to help parents engage with their child’s Religious Education and deepen their understanding together.

• What are some ways you think God shows His love for us as a Father?
  This question invites children to reflect on the concept of God as a loving Father and encourages a discussion about how they experience or understand God's love in their lives.

• How can we show God that we love Him back, just like a child shows love to their parents?
  This question connects the child’s relationship with God to their relationship with their earthly parents, prompting reflection on ways to express love and respect for God in everyday actions.

Have a lovely week and may God bless you always,

Amie Harry and Emma McCulloch

Religious Education Coordinators

Bodie, Nash and Max representing St Columbas at the Rugby League trials, congrats to Nash and Max who have progressed through.

Contratulations also to Phoebe Keeling who made it through for Soccer.

Kinder 2026 Enrolment

Online enrolments are now open for Kinder 2026 and round 1 offers have been sent. Please see the link below to complete enrolment if you have a child attending in 2026.

https://www.adamstownsc.catholic.edu.au/enrolment-information/enrolment-information/

Volunteering

Please see the link below if you wish to complete the process to volunteer at St Columba's, please note this can take 2-6 weeks. You still need to complete this process if you are the holder of a working with children check.

https://www.mn.catholic.edu.au/families-communities/volunteers/

Uniform ordering

Below is due to transitioning from BME Uniforms to Yeronga

BME - 1st option 

https://scpsuniformshop.bigcartel.com/?fbclid=IwAR2fp08x9txkjn_M_gojY1clV-EFrH80Wuj9_JUrUzbqcxd-a6Au9gHCuMw

If there are items that are no longer available through BME you can visit the Yeronga Uniforms web site. We are in the process of moving over to this supplier. Link below. Some items not yet available.

Yeronga Uniforms

https://www.yerongauniforms.com/product-category/schools/st-columbas-adamstown/

Application for leave

If your child is going to be away for more than 10 school days (consecutive) the leave needs to be applied for and approved by the school principal. This form is available on Compass under School Documentation.

Adding attendance note to Compass

Full day absence can be added via Compass but partial abesence is to be entered by the parent/carer at the school office on the Compass Kiosk (late arrival/early leave). You can also put in a date range for more than one day.

A reminder that if there is a change to arrangements for your child in the afternoon, please contact the office prior to 1.30pm when possible so the note can go via the note basket, this way we are not interrupting the class learning time with phone calls.